Hearts defeat Falkirk, McInnes criticizes late Celtic penalty

Hearts secured a crucial victory against Falkirk on May 13, 2026, with players and supporters caught between joy and confusion in the game's aftermath. Until the final whistle, Hearts appeared set to travel to Celtic Park needing only a draw to claim the league title. However, a dramatic turn unfolded deep in stoppage time when a controversial penalty was awarded to Celtic during their match against Motherwell, severely impacting Hearts' standings.

Derek McInnes, the manager of Hearts, expressed outrage at the penalty decision, labeling it "disgusting" and voicing concerns about the growing number of questionable refereeing decisions, stating, "I’m getting more and more dismayed at some of the decisions our referees are coming up with. It’s such a bad decision. We’re up against everybody."

As a result of the late penalty that led to Celtic's comeback victory over Motherwell, Hearts now find themselves in a situation where they require at least a point at Celtic Park to secure their first league title since 1960. Despite the heartbreak, McInnes remains determined to channel his frustration and lead his team into the final matchday, hoping to achieve a monumental feat.

While grappling with excitement and nerves, the fans of Hearts had initially witnessed their team put on a strong performance against Falkirk. A disallowed goal from Falkirk’s Calvin Miller within the first five minutes only highlighted the visitors’ good start, yet it was Hearts who opened the scoring. Frankie Kent, a backup defender thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury to Craig Halkett, scored from a corner.

Hearts' lead was doubled when Cammy Devlin scored through a slight deflection after strong buildup play, further demonstrating the hosts' attacking prowess. However, throughout the match, the attention of Hearts supporters at Tynecastle remained partially on events unfolding at Motherwell. Reports that Celtic had equalized led to a mix of emotions for Hearts, who were striving to maintain a perfect home league season.

Despite the euphoria of their own victory, the narrative shifted dramatically as Celtic's last-gasp penalty decision had far-reaching implications. Hearts will head into their crucial final game with a chance to fulfill their title dreams amid heightened pressure as they aim to secure a vital point against a dominant Celtic side.